Many people are smiling, but hurting inside. I have discovered that God is doing something in everyone’s life, and He’s doing something in mine too! I’m loving/praying for strangers like never before. And they are grateful. These personal stories in my life are to help you help others move one step closer to God.
Memlok
Day 1
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:12, Acts 16:31, Psalms 20:4, Psalms 28:7, Matthew 11:22-23, Titus 3:5, 2 Timothy 1:9
Gone Fishin’
Bert, Indian Catholic Dad, Fixing My Internet
Gina had reminded me that though I have a cold and haven’t been able to be out sharing the Good News, that perhaps the Lord would open the door with the repairman today. God used that to make me stay in prayer and look for opportunities. Thanks, partner!
We had an hour and a half together. I mentioned I had prayed for him as I saw him claiming that very tall ladder out my window. He was very grateful and mentioned that he doesn’t talk to anybody about religion because he doesn’t want to offend anybody, especially his wife’s parents who have an Indian religious background.
“Religion and politics are things I never discuss with anybody,” he explained.
The frustrations of our hearts can be windows into the beliefs of our souls. — Todd Hillard
Not knowing where he stood for sure I asked him where he was in his spiritual journey these days. He relayed to me that he had gone to a Catholic School and had brought his kids up to do right.
I commented, “You know, Bert, there is a significant difference between all the other religions and Christianity, right? Consider that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and no one else did. So since Jesus said if you don’t believe in him, the only way to get to heaven, then you go to that other place”. I said, “Well, this makes me want to tell everybody about it.”
“If I see somebody crossing the street and a truck is coming but they don’t see it and I don’t tell them, then they’re going to die. I just can’t be quiet about such a thing as Jesus is the way to get to heaven, you know what I mean?”
I can’t remember exactly how I said it for sure but somehow I rhymed truck with duck, like a stuck duck. We both cracked up and as he was leaving, I handed him a tract called Steps to Peace with God and another tract called God’s Good News in Colors.
He beamed. It felt so good to know God had opened the door as Burt enthusiastically promised to read them.
“Father God, Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, from the bottom of my heart I appreciate the adventure of getting to share the good news again. You waited so long for me to say yes to your invitation to be saved. Thank you for bringing Bert to me. I beg you, bring Bert to salvation and his whole household too.”
Please don’t try and compare yourself with anyone, let alone me. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”
Hey, this thing is happening NOW but it wasn’t for a long time. It’s God. I’m just along for the ride and it’s a THRILLER!
Please say a prayer that Bert will see there’s a difference between religion and a relationship with God.
Day 2
Scriptures: Joshua 1:9, Romans 10:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Romans 10:15, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 23:11
Gone Fishin’
Gina: “Do You Know Jesus?”
My wife likes to plant seeds.
Often when asked how she is, she responds with “Good, thank God.” Also, she often wears a cross necklace which sometimes encourages a conversation.
Last week she was buying something and a young man commented that he liked it. Encouraged by this she asked if he was a Christian. He opened up about falling away from his faith and she was able to encourage him.
A few days later she commented on a pretty cross a young checker was wearing.
The checker responded enthusiastically, “Oh, thank you! My Nana gave it to me. Gina responded by asking her if she knew Jesus. The checker hesitated a bit and said, “Well, I know about him, but I couldn’t say that I know him.” So Gina asked if she would like to, and she responded eagerly that she would.
Now the interesting part is that Gina had placed a small pamphlet about having Peace With God by Billy Graham in her purse before going shopping. She was on her way to the florist after grocery shopping and had planned to have it available, if the opportunity arose. She rarely carries those.
She reached in her purse and said, “I planned to give this to someone else. But this was meant for you.” The young girl enthusiastically took it.
God will provide opportunities if we ask for them, especially during this current time, when people are wanting peace and security. When we love them, we are cooperating with the will of our Lord and Savior.
We are learning to love the people with whom God’s Spirit is prompting us to share His story. We never know what God might already be doing in their lives. The love of Jesus has stirred within us and overcome our fears and obstacles to sharing.
Praise the Lord! What an adventure! To God be the glory!
Please say a prayer for this checker to read the tract and trust in Christ as her Savior and Lord. Thanks!
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 27:14, Ephesians 2:10, Psalms 47:8, Luke 2:52, Romans 11:6, John 16:24
Gone Fishin’
Johnny the man with two jobs, whose brother is religious
I went to the hospital waiting room today and had zero conversations. I sat there for 45 minutes and there wasn’t a soul that was alone. But since I had prayed ahead of time. I was okay with that, knowing God’s in control.
Waiting at the stoplight next to the hospital on my way home, I watched a man about 45 years old walking ahead of me with a backpack.
I followed for about 3 or 4 minutes, walking just ten feet behind and he kept looking over his shoulder. I yelled, “I’m not stalking you”, with a laugh.” Is this really going to be a conversation?
He laughed and we began to walk side-by-side. In all my trips, I’ve never even seen anyone walking ahead or behind me along this 2-mile stretch.
I learned he has two jobs, working 60 hours a week without a car right now. So he’s walking back and forth from the hospital where he is an attendant in the parking lot—a second job.
I relayed my story which you’ve heard many times about why I walk there and what I do when I’m sitting in the waiting room. He told me “Good for you. My brother is really religious, too.”
So I asked him where he is on his spiritual journey. He told me that he hasn’t been to church in 30 or 40 years but he talks to God once in a while.
“Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you?” Rick Warren
I related to him how my life had changed drastically, at the age of 21, when I decided to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I told him that I have problems with the word “religious” because if we stand before God and say, “I was religious,” that might not get us into heaven and we both laughed.
I told him one of my favorite verses of the Bible. “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved.” Romans 10:9,10
He told me “I’m really glad that that makes you feel good”. I told him that feeling good doesn’t get people to heaven. “What do you think? It comes down to making a personal decision about the only man who ever rose from the dead, Jesus Christ!”
Our two-mile walk was almost up so I pulled out the only copy I had of Steps to Peace with God and said, “I really think that God saw you and me walking side-by-side Johnny.”
I said I think God has put us together to give you, Johnny, an opportunity to trust Christ as your Savior and Lord.” I asked him if he would read it and he said he would.
As we were nearing the bus stop, the bus was on my left at the stoplight and if the button wasn’t pushed the bus would take off and he would miss his bus since it was stopping on the other side of the light.
So I ran until I could push the button and he ran across the street and caught up with a bus before it left.
I had such a big grin on my face. The last thing I had said to him was, “I’ll be seeing you in the hospital parking lot and ask you what you thought about what you read okay?”
I had asked him if he had heard of Billy Graham, who wrote this tract, and he said he hadn’t. I just assume everybody has heard of Billy Graham. I need to stop assuming anything.
Then I crossed the street as at the light and a woman was behind me.
She followed me for a couple of a hundred yards and then we had to stop again. We struck up a conversation and it turned out she is a follower of Christ.
She works in a business complex and was walking during her lunch. She lost her husband 3 years ago and is living, temporarily, with her mom who had a stroke.
Wonderful things are happening as she shares her faith with her mother. The Lord allowed me to bring some encouragement to her by praying with Heather. What a joy!
“There you go again, Lord. Astounding. Wait 45 minutes. Nada. Pack it up and head home and the fun (You already knew about) begins. I worship you.”
“The resurrection seals the fact that God has moved our judgment day from the future to the past. We who are in Christ are obligated to stop judging one another and instead get about the work of loving one another.” Scott Sauls
Please say a prayer that Johnny will read the tract and trust Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Day 4
Scriptures: Psalms 118:24, Romans 3:28, John 6:28-29, Galatians 5:4, John 15:11, John 10:10
Gone Fishin’
Jim, the 70 year old Muslim awaiting a scan for a spot on his lungs
As we sat next to each other in the waiting room at St Jude’s, he kept holding a phone to his ear but never talked.
I had prayed that God would open doors as I walked here this morning so I decided I would open my mouth and find out if this was that moment.
I asked, “Are you waiting to do a procedure?” He explained he has liquid in and around his lungs and antibiotics have not helped, so they want to know what’s wrong.
And he put his phone down.
We talked about our ages, where we live, and he told me he is an engineer that came here from Pakistan and has a wonderful home in La Habra. Retired, he’s enjoying the casinos, smoking, and drinking. Let’s just say, he’s a neat guy, but his language is…
He wanted to know why I was here and I told him I just came to encourage some folks. He said, “That is wonderful! God bless you!”
For some reason or another, he felt it necessary at that point to tell me that he is a Muslim, really loves religion, and has started reading the Bible and learning about Buddhism.
I said, “So what do you think about Jesus, Jim?” His response was, “I love him!” He told me he’s not afraid to die and he tells his kids to not be afraid to die.
I asked, “What would you say if you died today, Jim, and stood before God and he asked you why He should let you in?”
He told me he had done his best and if he hadn’t done enough good things, then he would just go to some other place. That would be fine with him, he said. It is clear he does not believe there is a hell in the afterlife.
Immediately, a woman called his name and told me I could go with him. He said, “No, that’s okay, we’re just good friends”, having just met me.
I gave him Steps to Peace with God as I shook his hand. He looked at me with a big grin and said, “Thank you so much!”
“Lord, thank you for giving me the confidence like Peter and John so that I can start a conversation and help one more person move one step closer to you! Would you please give salvation to Jim?”
Adrian, 39, psoriasis all over his body
Funny, this is another Adrian sitting on the same park bench like the one I talked to before. He had just left from a doctor’s appointment. It was a funny start because I didn’t know if Lord wanted me to share the gospel with him.
So I walked a little slower behind him and leaned over to try to read his shirt back. He lurched forward and grabbed his backpack on the bench, thinking I was a robber, and I saw he had, “I’m not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation”,on his back.
I told him I was just looking at his shirt to help me decide if I should share the gospel with him and we laughed and hugged because we’re both believers in Jesus.
I told him my story with the other Adrian that was a college student and about the guy I just now talked to, to provide some encouragement to him.
He told me he was blessed and encouraged to share his faith more and let me pray for his healing.
As I look back at this one hour I shared with the two people, it makes me realize how many missed opportunities I’ve had in my life because I was so intent on doing my own thing.
Not that it isn’t okay to do your own thing, it’s just that intentionality is making a difference. As I desire to share Jesus with people, it is bringing me such terrific joy.
I am learning to love the people with whom God’s Spirit is prompting me to share His story. I never know what God might already be doing in their lives. The love of Jesus has stirred within me and overcome my fears and obstacles to sharing.
Praise the Lord! What an adventure! To God be the glory!
As it turns out, this excitement is now happening wherever I go. I have returned to my “New Christian” lifestyle. This verse is true, at least for me: “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” Revelation 2:4-5
Please say a prayer for Jim. A spot on the lungs isn’t a fun thing to face.
Be Encouraged. Be Inspired.
Have GOALS.
Go. Open Your Mouth. Ask Questions. Love. Share your story.
Thank you for making time to see what God is doing in my life. God bless you as you desire to walk in wisdom and Trust The Lord!